The Cleveland Browns have replaced Jim Schwartz with the Atlanta Falcons' defensive pass game coordinator, Mike Rutenberg.

While losing Schwartz was already a major controversy, fans have already started to raise fingers at Rutenberg as well. Well, it's because the new Browns DC has no NFL play-calling experience.

He started his NFL career as a Player Personnel Intern & Administrative Assistant at the Washington Commanders (then Redskins) from 2003 to 2005. After going to the CFB, he returned to the NFL as the assistant defensive backs coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2013 to 2015.

After that, he served the team as their defensive assistant (2016-17), before serving as assistant linebackers coach (2018-19). In 2020, Rutenberg was the passing game specialist for the San Francisco 49ers.

He then went on to become the Linebackers Coach for the New York Jets (2021-2024). The good news for the Browns fans here is that during his time with the Jets, the defense finished among the NFL’s top five in total defense for three straight seasons.

Then, after a season with the Atlanta Falcons as the Defensive Pass Game Coordinator, Rutenberg joined the Cleveland Browns as their defensive coordinator. The fans have had a mixed reaction over this; many have supported the decision, whilst many have not so much.

NFL Fans Divided Over the New DC of the Cleveland Browns

One fan said, "Don’t need prior Coordinator experience to be considered a “good” hire WAS Commanders hired David Blough as their OC (only two years of QB Coach experience)." Blough was promoted to OC of the Commanders in January 2026, after serving as assistant QB coach (2024–2025) and interim QB coach late in 2025.

A fan also said, "Doesn’t matter. Our defensive roster is stacked". The Browns have DPOY Myles Garrett and the DROY Carson Schwensinger on the roster.

There have been negative perceptions as well. "We haven’t been able to stop the run for half a decade but sure," a user said.

The Cleveland Browns have given up 10,125 rushing yards in the past 5 years. "About Normal for the Browns, they do what others don't, so the results are LOSING!" another user said. If we count the last 5 years, the Browns had a 34-51 record.

A fan also said, "Kevin Stefanski was never a head coach before and the Browns hired him before they wished they didn’t." Stefanski did indeed get his first HC job with the Browns and had a 45-56 win-loss record.

One fan brought in Jim Schwartz, saying, "Again - bypassing someone who has already been in your building for years 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️"

There is no debating that Schwartz is the architect of the defense that the Cleveland Browns have right now. What do you think?

Read more at the Cleveland Browns Community!

Written by

Reyansh Dubey

Edited by

Kalp Thaker